Mountain Biking - rockshox tora...which one to get?

On blueskycycling.com there are like 8 kinds of tora shocks. Some with air and some with just a coil...u turn ones....all for under200 ....this is my first time buying shocks and i have no idea which one to get...i have a 2011 hardrock sport disc. I mainly use it for trail riding / climbs and drops too on the trails...the current sucks bottom out all the time on the drop. Maybe because im 235 pounds.... they have the tora sl coil disc only that i was originally going to get and that has 100 mm of travel but then theres ones that say solo air and have 120-130 mm of travel...which one is right for me??? Thanks in advance!!

Heres a link to the different ones i can choose http://www.blueskycycling.com/search.php?search_key=tora

I think ill go with the air since my weight..

A difference you'll notice between coil and air is that coil has linear compression rates whereas air shocks display an exponential compression rate. More or less. Air is also lighter.

To adjust how stiff the fork is, with an air fork you pump it up, with a coil fork you replace the coil.

I ride with a Tora 318 '08. It's an air version.

You're a big guy. I don't know what kind of "drops" you're doing. The Tora is a budget XC fork, not really meant for extreme stress. However, perhaps they're fine for heavier guys. I don't know what kind of coils you can get.

thank you. i got off the phone with my lbs and we talked and he reccomended to get the rockshox solo air 130mm travel. and price with install included is 250....so im pretty sure ill go with that but is 130 mm to much for my bike? it comes stock with 80mm forks

Usually bikes come with the cheapest fork they can put on unless you're in the budget area that which this would not apply. Maybe you are but like most folks.........any bike usually up to $1500 does not have a ultra high end fork. I think it is sometimes a conspiracy between bike companies and fork companies to make you buy another fork when you get good and into biking.......just kidding! Not really I believe that stuff, sorry, I also hear voices that speak direct to me and call me by name.

But 130mm would be fine. I am 6'0" 189 lbs. and have a Marzocchi 140mm fork on my 19" Felt frame.

...but is 130 mm to much for my bike? it comes stock with 80mm forks

You need to compare the axle to crown measurements of both forks and see how much the extra travel will rake the bike out. Putting the 130 on will likely void your frame warranty.

You need to compare the axle to crown measurements of both forks and see how much the extra travel will rake the bike out. Putting the 130 on will likely void your frame warranty.

i asked the guy at the lbs he said if the frame cracks that he will put the old fork on so i can use my warrenty

i relly doubt the frame would break im 85 percent trail riding...nothing too serious

Depending on the a-to-c change, it can significantly affect the way the bike handles. Which may or may not be a good thing, depending on your preference.

i asked the guy at the lbs he said if the frame cracks that he will put the old fork on so i can use my warrenty

Now that is a great LBS! That gets repeat customers all the time! Better keep shopping them and stay true to loyal service. I went from a 100mm to a 140mm and the bike climbs like a billygoat! The air fork is better for me on the tight single tracks and makes XC riding a blast. I really think the 130mm would be of no real consequence.

Just be sure and ask your LBS if indeed that happens if he will switch over all the components for free or at a greatly reduced rate!!! I mean, if your buying the fork from him I would say he should for free if the extreme case of frame breakage happens.

Since I am a little bit of a weight weenie (a totally unecessary addiction in my case) I got a couple of FOX air shocks (F80 and F100 RLC's).
They are great shocks and perfect for what I use them for, but I wanted to get coil shocks for 2 reasons.

1) reliability, they are pretty bullet proof, and simpler than air shocks.
2) They have a more "buttery" feel/action, but they are heavier. Seems like 5+lbs as compared to 3+lbs.

I think a 100mm would work fine for you since you are mostly doing trail (and it sounds like your bikes geometry is probably built ro 80-100mm shocks).
As far as all the U-turn/comp/rebound damping etc etc etc, I find the simpler the more reliable.

[QUOTE=Zan;11117079]A difference you'll notice between coil and air is that coil has linear compression rates whereas air shocks display an exponential compression rate. More or less. Air is also lighter.

According to http://www.blueskycycling.com/search...earch_key=tora , Tora Air is 5.3 lbs. and Tora coil is 4.9

i got the tora sl 130mm air...it did not mess up my gemometry at all..and if anything it rides better and is more controllable...i love it!